Ryan James (soccer)

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Ryan James
James with Nashville SC in 2018
Personal information
Full name Ryan Lee James
Date of birth (1994-04-21) April 21, 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Height 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Defender
Youth career
0000–2011 Dixie SC
2012 Toronto FC
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012–2015 Bowling Green Falcons 79 (9)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2012 TFC Academy
2015 Toronto FC III 1 (0)
2016–2017 Rochester Rhinos 59 (1)
2018 Nashville SC 16 (0)
2019–2020 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 50 (5)
2021–2022 Birmingham Legion FC 59 (1)
2023 HFX Wanderers 6 (0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of June 22, 2023

Ryan Lee James (born April 21, 1994) is a Canadian professional soccer player who plays as a defender.[1]

Early life[edit]

James began playing youth soccer at age four with Dixie SC.[2] He later joined the Toronto FC Academy.[3] He was a member of the Ontario provincial team at both the U14 and U16 levels, winning a silver medal at both national tournaments.[4]

College career[edit]

In 2012, he committed to attend Bowling Green University to play for the men's soccer team.[5] On September 9, 2012, James recorded his first collegiate goal and his first assist in a 3–3 draw against the Coastal Carolina Chanticleers.[6] On October 30, 2012, he scored a brace in a 3–2 victory over the Wright State Raiders,[7] which earned him Bowling Green's Athlete of the Week honours.[8] In his sophomore season, he was named to the OCSA Academic All-Ohio Second Team and also earned honourable mention honours for the Academic All-MAC Team.[9][10]

In his junior season, he was named to the NSCAA All-Great Lakes Region Third Team,[11] the All-MAC Second-Team,[12] All-Ohio Second Team,[13] Academic All-MAC Team,[14] a MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete,[15] and a Academic All-Ohio First Team.[4]

Ahead of his senior season, he was named a team captain.[16] He was named a finalist for the Senior CLASS Award,[17] was named to the All-MAC Second Team,[18] Academic All-MAC Team,[19] MAC Distinguished Scholar Athlete, and was the male recipient of Bowling Green's Medal of Honor.[20] Ahead of the MLS SuperDraft, he was invited to the MLS Combine.[21][22] Over his four seasons, he played in all 79 of the team's games, scoring nine goals and adding 15 assists.[23]

Club career[edit]

In 2012, James began playing with the TFC Academy in the first division of the Canadian Soccer League.[24] He also appeared with TFC Academy in a Premier Development League match in 2015.[citation needed]

At the 2016 MLS SuperDraft, James was drafted in the third round (52nd overall) by Sporting Kansas City.[25][26] He attended pre-season with the team,[27][28] however, he did not ultimately sign with the club.[29][30]

In March 2016, James signed with the Rochester Rhinos of the USL.[citation needed]

In December 2017, James signed with Nashville SC in the USL, for the 2018 season.[31][32]

In November 2018, James signed a one-year contract, with a club option for 2020 with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.[33] In April 2019, he was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for the first time.[34] He scored his first goal for the Riverhounds on August 1, 2020, against Philadelphia Union II.[35] After scoring a brace against the Hartford Athletic on August 28, 2020, James was named USL Championship Player of the Week (and named to the Team of the Week).[36][37] After another two-goal performance against the Hartford Athletic on September 12, he was once again named to the Team of the Week.[38][39] For the 2020 season, he was named the Steel Army (the Riverhounds' supporters group) Player of the Year.[40]

In December 2020, James signed a multi-year contract with Birmingham Legion FC.[41][42] He scored his first goal for the Legion on July 9, 2022, against the Charleston Battery.[43] In July 2022, he was named to the USL Team of the Week.[44]

In February 2023, he signed a one-year contract with a club option for 2024, with the HFX Wanderers in the Canadian Premier League.[45] He was named an assistant captain for the 2023 season.[46] He made his debut for the club on April 15, 2023, against Atlético Ottawa.[47] In July 2023, it was announced that he would miss the remainder of the season after undergoing surgery due to injury.[48][49] In December 2023, the Wanderers declined his option for 2024.[50]

International career[edit]

He made his debut in the Canadian national program attending a camp with the Canada U17 team in August 2010, later attending a second camp in November 2010.[2]

Personal life[edit]

James is the younger brother of Evan James, who is also a professional soccer player.[51][52] In September 2022, he was the inaugural recipient of the Coaching License Scholarship from Kwik Goal, the United Soccer League, and US Soccer, and will begin with B coaching license training with the United States Soccer Federation.[53][54]

Career statistics[edit]

As of June 22, 2023[55]
Club League Season League Playoffs Domestic Cup Total
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Toronto FC III Premier Development League 2015[56] 1 0 — — 1 0
Rochester Rhinos USL 2016 27 1 2 0 0 0 29 1
2017 32 0 2 0 1 0 35 0
Total 59 1 4 0 1 0 64 1
Nashville SC USL 2018 16 0 0 0 3 0 19 0
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC USL Championship 2019 34 0 2 0 2 0 38 0
2020 16 5 1 0 — 17 5
Total 50 5 3 0 2 0 55 5
Birmingham Legion FC USL Championship 2021 32 0 1 0 — 33 0
2022 27 1 1 0 2 0 30 1
Total 59 1 2 0 2 0 63 1
HFX Wanderers FC Canadian Premier League 2023 6 0 0 0 0 0 6 0
Career Total 191 7 9 0 8 0 208 7

References[edit]

  1. ^ Sullivan, Tim (March 27, 2018). "From the Film Room: Ryan James, all-field threat". Club & Country.
  2. ^ a b Ryan James at the Canadian Soccer Association
  3. ^ Jacques, John (February 15, 2023). "Halifax Wanderers Reinforce Backline With Ryan James". Northern Tribune.
  4. ^ a b "Ryan James Bowling Green profile". Bowling Green Falcons.
  5. ^ "Nichols, Falcons Announce 2012 Men's Soccer Recruiting Class". Bowling Green Falcons. February 6, 2012.
  6. ^ "Falcons Battle No. 18 CCU to 3–3 Draw". Bowling Green Falcons. September 9, 2012.
  7. ^ "James is Golden as Falcons Down Wright State, 3-2". Bowling Green Falcons. October 30, 2012.
  8. ^ "James, Tonyan Named Pizza Hut Athletes Of The Week". Bowling Green Falcons. November 5, 2012.
  9. ^ "Six Falcons Named to Academic All-Ohio Team". Bowling Green Falcons. January 11, 2014.
  10. ^ "Three Falcons Named to Academic All-MAC First Team". Bowling Green Falcons. December 18, 2013.
  11. ^ "Falcons Land Two on All-Region Team". Bowling Green Falcons. December 10, 2014.
  12. ^ "Five Falcons Earn All-MAC Honors". Bowling Green Falcons. November 13, 2014.
  13. ^ "Three Falcons Named to All-Ohio Team". Bowling Green Falcons. December 28, 2014.
  14. ^ "Seven Falcons Earn Academic All-MAC Honors". Bowling Green Falcons. January 8, 2015.
  15. ^ "MAC Names Distinguished Scholar Athletes For Fall Semester". Bowling Green Falcons. February 6, 2015.
  16. ^ "Auden, Genrich & James to Captain Falcons". Bowling Green Falcons. July 31, 2015.
  17. ^ "Ryan James Named a Finalist for 2015 Senior CLASS Award". Bowling Green Falcons. September 3, 2015.
  18. ^ "Flynn, James Earn All-MAC Honors". Bowling Green Falcons. November 12, 2015.
  19. ^ "Eight Falcons Earn Academic All-MAC Honors". Bowling Green Falcons. December 1, 2015.
  20. ^ "James, Nocella Receive MAC Medal of Excellence Award". Bowling Green Falcons. June 1, 2016.
  21. ^ Davidson, Neil (January 19, 2016). "Canadians Ryan James, Josh Heard taken in conclusion of MLS SuperDraft". CTV News.
  22. ^ "Ryan James Invited to MLS Combine". Bowling Green Falcons. December 12, 2015.
  23. ^ "Ryan James Chosen in MLS SuperDraft". Bowling Green Falcons. January 19, 2016.
  24. ^ "2012 TFC Academy senior team roster". Toronto FC. Archived from the original on 31 August 2012. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
  25. ^ Gartland, Ben (January 19, 2016). "Sporting KC select James and Hajderovic". The Blue Testament.
  26. ^ Becoats, Kellen (January 21, 2016). "Ryan James joins Sporting KC after being drafted in 3rd round". Hustle Belt.
  27. ^ "Checking In With Ryan James". Bowling Green Falcons. January 28, 2016.
  28. ^ "Checking In With Ryan James II". Bowling Green Falcons. February 3, 2016.
  29. ^ Tierney, Mitchell (February 15, 2023). "Halifax Wanderers add Canadian fullback Ryan James". Canadian Premier League.
  30. ^ "Riverhounds player profile: Ryan James". WPGH-TV. August 23, 2020.
  31. ^ Organ, Mike (December 14, 2017). "Nashville SC signs four more players". The Tennessean.
  32. ^ "Nashville SC Signs Four Young Players to Bolster Versatility and Depth of 2018 Squad". December 14, 2017. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017.
  33. ^ "Hounds sign defender Ryan James". Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. November 28, 2018. Archived from the original on November 29, 2018.
  34. ^ Krysinsky, John (April 30, 2019). "Ryan James earns spot on USL Championship Team of the Week". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
  35. ^ Stuges, Amanda (August 1, 2020). "Riverhounds' stars shine in shutout of Philadelphia Union II". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
  36. ^ Krysinsky, John (September 1, 2020). "Hounds' Ryan James named USL Championship Player of the Week; Dover earns Team of Week honors". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
  37. ^ "Ryan James named USL Championship Player of the Week". Pittsburgh Riverhounds. September 1, 2020.
  38. ^ Krysinsky, John (September 15, 2020). "Hounds' Ryan James lands on USL Team of Week again; Ropapa Mensah honored too". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
  39. ^ "Ryan James named to USL Championship Team of the Week". Pittsburgh Riverhounds. September 15, 2020.
  40. ^ "Your 2020 Player of the Year is Ryan James". Steel Army. October 6, 2020.
  41. ^ Krysinsky, John (December 3, 2020). "Ryan James signs with Birmingham Legion FC". Pittsburgh Soccer Now.
  42. ^ "Legion FC Signs Defender Ryan James". Birmingham Legion FC. December 3, 2020.
  43. ^ Turrentine, Caleb (July 10, 2022). "Legion bounce back on the road with first three-goal win of the season". ABC 33/40.
  44. ^ Humphries, Clayton (July 19, 2022). "Ryan James Named to USL Championship Team of the Week". Birmingham Legion FC.
  45. ^ "'A very experienced professional': Wanderers sign Canadian defender Ryan James". HFX Wanderers FC. February 15, 2023.
  46. ^ "Mo Omar and Ryan James named assistant captains for 2023 season". HFX Wanderers FC. April 13, 2023.
  47. ^ "Stories of the Match: Wanderers open 2023 with a draw vs. Ottawa". HFX Wanderers FC. April 15, 2023.
  48. ^ "Ryan James sidelined for remainder of 2023 season due to injury". HFX Wanderers FC. July 12, 2023.
  49. ^ Jacques, John (July 12, 2023). "Wanderers Defender Ryan James Out For Remainder Of Season". Northern Tribune.
  50. ^ "Wanderers trigger options on three players as part of year-end roster moves". HFX Wanderers FC. December 19, 2023.
  51. ^ Richardson, Garrett (October 17, 2021). "Ryan James - From Mississauga To Birmingham". USL Championship.
  52. ^ Davidson, Neil (January 11, 2016). "Canadian James aims for soccer's pro ranks". TSN.
  53. ^ Johnson, El (September 28, 2022). "Ryan James of Birmingham Legion FC receives a US Soccer Coaching License Scholarship from Kwik Goal". 2 Cents.
  54. ^ "Kwik Goal Awards Birmingham Legion FC's Ryan James U.S. Soccer Coaching License Scholarship". United Soccer League. September 28, 2022.
  55. ^ Ryan James at Soccerway
  56. ^ "2015 PDL Stats". USL League Two.

External links[edit]

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